Inside Out

35

Ward Field, Virginia

Herman Hoffman stood waiting outside the cavernous hangar in the dark. Since Ralph was flying the Justice Department's plane, the first part of the operation was a success. He knew the boys on the island side had to have done as well, since their degree of difficulty was far lower.

He watched as the jet turned onto the final approach and came in hot and flaring just above the asphalt. Ralph taxied the jet past the helicopter and, cutting the engines, rolled directly into the hangar.

Herman watched as the clamshell door came down and Ralph descended the steps. He picked up the Polaroid camera from the table and returned to the cabin to take the proof-of-death pictures. Two other men came out of the plane a few seconds after the fourth flash.

The first man down was wiping matter and blood from his face with a towel. He saw Herman's proffered hand. “Sorry, sir,” he said, laughing. “I'm afraid the government's nice plane is totally ruined.”

“Nice to have you back home, Lewis,” Herman said, smiling. “Ralph, get the fireworks set and let's get in the sky.”